Hi David,

Focusing on a later model virtually guarantees you are looking at a 5
figure price tag. Buy an aircooled model and you could get on the road
for 3-6K for a reliable ride. 83-87 models also offer a great deal at a
not-so-lofty price point.

A $8K vanagon shouldn't need much. Yesterday I bought a 1988 Wolfsburg
hardtop for $1200. It's a solid (west-coast) daily driver that was used
as a tender for a land yacht until the owner unintentionally grenaded
the engine this week by towing it in gear. Luckily for me, I have a
spare engine for it. I should be able to have it on the road with about
12 hours labour invested. And my wife has already called dibs on it.

Timing is everything. Summertime is when demand is highest, and prices
match that. Location is also very significant, as the supply of
good-condition vans on the east coast is a fraction of that to be found
in the west.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario Canada
197x Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.pottsfamily.ca

BUSES OF THE CORN - AUGUST 13-15th, 2010
www.busesofthecorn.ca

On 7/30/2010 10:54 AM, Peters, David Gerard wrote:
> Hi All
>
> Thanks for the many warm "welcomes".  Still very much enjoying the
> list and learning stuff too!
>
> My Vanagon search is still ongoing.  I am focused (after taking
> advice from many folks on this list) on a later model.
>
> Question:  There is an ongoing ebay auction for restored Westy.  It
> is out of my price range (almost 20k buy it now) but a statement in
> the auction description caught my eye and I would be interested to
> hear feedback from you guys.
>
> Specifically the seller sates..."If you buy an $8000 to $13,000
> Westy, you will need to add up to $8000 in parts to make it reliable,
> and thats BEFORE you touch the engine or tranny! "
>
> Do you agree? Obviously it is possible but I'd be interested to hear
> thoughts based on real world experience.
>
> Thanks again
>
> Dave
>